Illinois coach Bret Bielema: Ryan Walters is 'definitely ready'
Illinois coach Bret Bielema still has a lot of love for Ryan Walters. Why not?
Bielema worked hand in hand the last two seasons with Walters in Champaign, with Walters pushing the buttons as coordinator on a terrific 2022 defense that ranked among the best in the nation and was the backbone of the Fighting Illini’s first bowl trip since 2019. The Fighting Illini went 8-5 last year and played in the Reliaquest Bowl.
“I think that I really enjoyed his perspective when he came in,” Bielema told GoldandBlack.com at Big Ten media days on Wednesday.
“I think the part that makes you be successful when you coach is you gotta be you, right? And it looks like that’s what he’s doing. He’s gonna have good success. Wish him all the best except against us.”
That day is coming. The boss vs. former DC clash will take place on Sept. 30 at Ross-Ade Stadium in a homecoming game for the Boilermakers. Adding another layer of intrigue to the meeting: Walters has four former Illini staffers among his full-time assistants: Cory Patterson, Kevin Kane, Joe Dineen and Grant O’Brien.
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“I think he’s definitely ready,” said Bielema of the 37-year old Walters, who is a first-time head coach.
The looming Bielema vs. Walters battle had some spice added to it this offseason with a Twitter exchange that raised some eyebrows.
It began with a tweet about some former Illinois players coming to Purdue in the spring to work out with Boilermaker pass rush specialist Preston Gordon, who was a GA at Illinois the previous two seasons. Among the pros who visited West Lafayette to work with Gordon were former Illini players. That sparked this exchange:
That illicited this response from Walters.
But Bielema says there is no bad blood between the two. Rather, Bielema was just having some fun.
“Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows I get a little sassy at times,” fessed Bielema.
